Series review: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Series rating: ★★★★★

*This review contains spoilers*

Goodreads synposis: Cinder

“A forbidden romance.
A deadly plague.
Earth's fate hinges on one girl . . .
CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.
Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.
This is not the fairytale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.” 

Review 

The fairytale retelling aspect of these novels is so cleverly done, in such a way that comparisons can be drawn without it being obvious that the book you’re reading is, in fact, a retelling. This series has its own, well developed plot, set in a futuristic sci-fi setting, that couldn’t be more unlike those of traditional fairytales.

The series starts with Cinder, which is a Cinderella retelling. The main character, Cinder, is a badass heroine, who is able to defend herself, whilst still remaining witty. Her love interest, Kai, makes me (and every girl ever) swoon, because even though he’s royalty, he’s normal, which is a unique trait to find surprisingly! Their romance I feel could’ve been more prominent, especially during the first novel, as they are perfect together, because their personalities compliment each other’s.

The second novel, Scarlet, is based off Little Red Riding Hood, and introduces new characters, Scarlet and Wolf. Scarlet, as a character, is much like Cinder, with being fierce and outspoken. During this novel, and the series, my opinion on Wolf changes dramatically, I love him, then I hate him, then I both love and hate him, and finally in the last novel I am back to loving him. These characters’ relationship is less based on their complimentary personalities, and is more focused on the raw, passionate side, with Wolf even referring to Scarlet as his “alpha”, adorable.

Book three, Cress, is a Rapunzel retelling, where we first meet the character of Cress, who unlike Cinder and Scarlet, is instantly relatable and loveable, and her insta-love for Thorne, is shared by all readers. She fantasises and idolises him so much, yet he believes he doesn’t live up to the image she’s painted of him (which appears to be true, but Thorne is just so loveable you forget he’s actually a criminal). Throughout the remaining two books, Thorne becomes an even better person, and focuses on becoming the person Cress loves. Thorne is the definition of a loveable rogue, he’s sarcastic, a bit full of himself and extremely flirtatious, and I love him for it.

The last book, Winter, is a retelling of Snow White. This novel is where it becomes apparent that the characters can be more diverse, as Winter has dark skin, and I’m the biggest fan of POC representation. Winter, is portrayed as ‘crazy’ as she’s driven so by not using her lunar glamor, yet she’s far from being annoying with her incoherent ramblings, and I only felt slightly sympathetic for her (I wish she didn’t have such horrible hallucinations) but she embraces how she is, and makes it part of her. Jacin, her guard, and love interest, I personally had mixed feelings about, he wasn’t my favourite character, but his love and admiration for Winter was so prevelant and enjoyable.

This last novel is 827 pages long, yet it did not once feel like that length, due to the fact the whole series is action-packed and extremely fast paced!

My favourite character in the series has to be Iko, a ‘faulty’ android, who has learned sarcasm, and revels in the fact she always tries to be human-like. She’s bubbly and humorous, and has a better personality than some of the human characters!

With each book in the series adding new characters, you would think it’s easy for the world to become overwhelming and confusing, yet Marissa Meyer seemed to execute it perfectly! Not once did I get confused about a character, as each of them was so well developed.

As a whole, I ADORE this series! Finishing this series 2 days ago, all i want to do now is buy a copy of fairest and/or stars above, anything to keep this series going, I honestly don't want to ever leave this world. 

Books and bouquets. x